Here is an easy spicy mango salsa recipe that elevates the flavor of any dish it is served with. Fresh mangoes add sweetness to this savory mango salsa. This easy-to-make salsa is bursting with the vibrant flavors of ripe mangos, red onion, red bell pepper, and fresh cilantro. It’s the perfect accompaniment to dishes like fish tacos or a refreshing snack with homemade tortilla chips.
It is super easy to mix up a batch of spicy mango salsa and it compliments so many foods. Keep this recipe handy so you can have it often. It is so dang good!
Ingredients Needed To Make Mango Salsa
Let’s start by gathering the ingredients for this fabulous mango salsa. You will need ripe mangoes, a red onion, a red bell pepper, fresh cilantro, jalapeño pepper, and lime juice.
You can easily find these ingredients in your local grocery store. Summertime from May through September is prime mango season when this tropical fruit is at its peak. It is also imported so you can usually find mangos year round.
Putting This Easy Salsa Recipe Together
To begin, I recommend dicing the ripe mangos, red onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeño pepper into small, uniform pieces. A sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board will come in handy for this task.
If you are not familiar with mangos, I’ve laid out the steps that I use to cut them up.
The mango has a large pit that has to be cut around. The fruit has thick cheeks on both sides. Look at the mango and you can see a ridge which is the side of the pit. The cheeks are between the ridge.
Use a flexible sharp knife to cut down from the top stem down to the pit. Then, guide your knife around the pit to slice off that cheek. Then slice the other half off.
To remove the skin there are several ways to do that. I like cutting the slabs into 3 pieces and then using your knife to slice the skin off, (photo #1 below).
There is still some useable mango flesh around the pit, so the skin can be cut off of the remaining mango as shown in the photo, (#2 below). There may be some flesh around the pit that is large enough to use in the salsa. Otherwise, you could also use these smaller pieces as a treat for the chef! It is yummy sweet.
Then, slice the mango lengthwise then chop it into small pieces.
Once everything is diced, transfer the ingredients to a large bowl, and add in the freshly chopped cilantro. The fresh cilantro will lend its aromatic flavors to the sweet salsa, enhancing its overall taste.
Now it’s time to add a tangy twist to our salsa by adding fresh lime juice. This citrusy addition brings a burst of brightness and perfectly balances the sweetness of the mangoes.
Remember to sprinkle a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors and help meld all the ingredients together. Give everything a gentle toss to ensure the flavors are evenly distributed throughout the salsa.
Once your mango salsa is prepared, it’s best to let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This allows the flavors to mingle and develop, resulting in a more vibrant and flavorful salsa.
Leftovers And Variations
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they can last for a few days.
The salsa is incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed as a side dish, a topping for fish tacos or shrimp tacos, or even added to burrito bowls for an extra burst of freshness.
It compliments pork well as you can see with my grilled pork loin.
I also made some mango salsa to compliment Bacon Wrapped Scallops.
Okay, now it’s time to get creative. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your mango salsa.
Toss in some pineapple for a tropical twist. If you like things hot, crank up the heat with some serrano peppers. Or, go easy on the jalapeños if you prefer a milder kick.
This mango salsa is all about fun and flavor, so let your taste buds be your guide. Get ready to bring the party to your plate!
Questions About Mango Salsa
The salsa is great on Mexican dishes such as tacos, and burrito bowls. Also try it with cajun chicken, pork, fish, shrimp, and scallops.
Fresh mango salsa will freeze well in an air-tight container such as zip-lock bag or in a vacuum-sealed food-saver bag for up to 2 months. Be careful of freezer burn as this will seriously impact the flavor.
If cilantro isn’t your favorite, substitute fresh chopped parsley or chopped basil.
In a pinch, you could use frozen mango chunks from your grocer’s freezer case. The mango is not as firm as fresh, but it tastes identical. Otherwise, substitute pineapple, peaches, or strawberries.
Grilled pork loin
In conclusion, this easy mango salsa recipe is a classic choice that never fails to impress. Its fresh and vibrant flavors add a delightful touch to any dish.
Savory mango salsa is a versatile condiment that can be tailored to suit your taste preferences. So, grab your favorite tortilla chips, prepare a batch of this delicious salsa, and take your salsa game to a whole new level.
Shrimp taco
I hope you enjoy making and savoring this tropical spicy salsa as much as I do!
Check out the recipe card below for detailed instructions on making this easy and best mango salsa.
Easy Traditional Mango Salsa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 Ripe mango, cut up and diced Approx. 1 cup
- 1/2 red onion, diced Approx. 1/2 cup
- 1/2 red bell pepper, diced Approx. 1/2 cup
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and diced
- 2 tbsp. lime juice, fresh or bottled
- 2 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
- salt, as desired
Instructions
- Using a medium to large-sized bowl, mix all ingredients, taste, and add salt as desired. I find that 1/2 teaspoon of Diamond Crystal kosher salt is just about right.
- For the best flavor, let the salsa rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Serve as a condiment on seafood and savory meats.
Notes
- This recipe should make around 2 cups of salsa.
- Feel free to add additional ingredients such as green onion, cherry tomatoes, and other citrus fruit such as pineapple.
- Save leftovers in an airtight container refrigerated for 3 or 4 days. It also can be frozen for up to 2 months in a very air-tight container, (to avoid freezer burn).
- Nutrition information is based on 4 servings per recipe.
Nutrition
This is such a refreshing summertime salsa. Try it with grilled meats. Yum.